De lacy e



(No Model.) 4 Sheets-Sl1eet 1.

DE LACY E, BALLAM. MOP HEAD.

No. 603,999. Patented May 10,1898..

ATTORNEY (No Model.) 4 Sheets--'Sheet 2.

DE LACY E. BALLA'M.

MOP HEAD Patented May 10,1898.

W|TNESSES W ATTORNEY (No Model.) I 4 Sheets-Sheet 3.

DE LACY E. BALLAM.

MOP HEAD Patented May 10, 1898.

VENTOH W. m

W ATTORNEY (No Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheet 4.

. DE LAOY E. BALLAM} 'MOP HEAD.

No. 603,999. Patented- May 10,1898.

WITNESSES: y mvamoa EP 994999 491 bel? %2 ATTORNEY DE IJAOY E. BALLAM, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO ANNIE T. GRACE, OF SAME PLACE.

MOP-HEAD.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 603,999, dated May 10, 1898.

Application filed March 27, 1896.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, DE LACY E. BALLAM, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of the city of Brooklyn, Kings county, State of New York,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Mop Heads and Handles, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in self-wringing mops and brushes which are of that type which can be compressed to expel surplus Water without requiring the absorbent pads to be taken into the hands.

The invention relates both to the general structure and to the several parts by which cheap construction and assembling are attained.

In articles of this nature cheap and simple construction and assembling are of great importance, and I have invented such aform and construction of the several parts which make up the completed article as greatly cheapen both the manufacture and assembling of the whole.

Referring to the drawings which accompany the specification to aid the description, Figure 1 is an elevation of the mop resting on a pail. Fig. 2 is a view, on an enlarged scale, of the mop-head and operating-levers, Fig. 3 being a view of the same parts, but with the mop compressed. Fig. 4 is a plan view of the mop-head, and Fig. 5 a broken View of the parts of the same as seen from the right of Fig. 2. Fig. 6 is a detail of the ferrule on the mop-handle. Figs 7, 8, 9, and 10 are views of the finger-clutch which looks the parts in their several positions. Figs. 11 and 12 are respectively a side and plan View of the connectingrod. Figs. 13 and 14 are respectively a side and plan view of the wringing-lever. Figs. 15 and 16 are respectively a side and plan View of the brush-clamp, and Fig. 17 is a detail showing how a pivotal connection or hingejoint is formed. Figs. 18 and 19 are respectively a side and edge view of the centeringrod. Figs. 20 and 21 are views of a modified mop-head, respectively showingthe sponge mops open and closed; and Fig. 22 is a front View of Fig. 21.

In general the mop or brush consists of a head made with a plurality of mops A B and a brush 0, Figs. 1 to 5, hinged together in the Serial No. 585,039. (No model.)

manner hereinafter described. The parts A B each have pads a b, respectively, of sponge or other absorbent material, and the part O has a brush of bristles o.

. D is the handle, to which mop A is attached; E, theadjustable clamps carrying brush 0; F, the wringing-lever, which operates mop B; G, the connecting-rod from wringing-lever F to sliding rod H; I, the gooseneck-centering rod, pivoted at one end to the ferrule D and connected at the other end to the wringinglever F. w

J is the finger-clutch, which holds the parts in any desired position.

The moppr0per.-The aforesaid pads a and 6, preferably of sponge, are secured to backs 1 and 2, respectively, in any suitable manner, as by fastening the sponge in grooves by transverse pins. Said backs 1 2 may be of wood andprovided on the top with skeletonized castings 3 4, respectively; Said castings 3 4 are of malleable iron or other malleable metal, 5 5 being ears on casting. 3, originally cast with open slots, in which set pins 6 6, cast integral with the hinge-rods 7, Fig. 3. In assembling, the pins 6 are set in said slotsand then the ears 5 5 pinched together by pliers or other tools. In this manner a bearing for the pins 6 6 is most effectively and cheaply produced. Hinge-rods 7 7 pass freely through holes in casting 4L and are provided with coiled springs 8, which bear at their upper ends against Washers 9 or against the heads of said rods 7 7, Fig. 2. In wringing the mop the rods 7 7 provide a hinge movement, permit the part B to pass from the position of Figs. 1 or 2 to that of Fig. 3, and increase and equalize the pressure of wringing-lever F, which wrings out the surplus Water. Said castings 3 and 4 are provided with integral lugs 3 4 having slots which are originally open and are then pinched to form eyes for screws 6 e f f, by which the said castings are secured to the backs, as shown.

The clamp E, of malleable iron or other malleable metal, is preferably yoke-shaped, Figs. 4: and 16, 10 11 being the arms which carry the body of the clamp proper, and 12 12 being ears connected with the arms 10 11 by the bar 14. Said ears 12 12 are cast with open slots 15, Fi

17, which fit easily on pins 16 16 of the ferrule D, Fig. 2. After assembling, the ears 12 12 are pinched together by pliers or other tools, formingahinge-joint on said pins 16 16, which pins are preferably cast integral with said ferrule D. A set-screw 19, threaded through a standard 18, preferably cast integral with the bar 14, adjusts clamp E by bearing on a shoulder 21 of the ferrule D, Figs. 2 and 16. The said arms 11 of the clamp E each carry jaws 22, in which fits one edge of back 0 of the brush 0. The other edge of the back 0 fits into corresponding jaws 24 of the casting 4, Figs. 2 and 3. By adjusting screw 19 the jaws 22 24 will firmly clasp brush (J, and said screw also provides for readily changing the brush 0. 'The clamp E is provided with integral stops 26 to rest on the top of a pail X. The wringing-lever F, of malleable metal, has a yoke or fork f at its lower end, with cross-bar 29. Pins 30, 31, and 32 are cast integral with said wringing-lever at proper positions. Pins 30 pivot in eyes 38 of ears 39 of connecting-rod G, pins 31 pivot in eyes 36 of ears 37 of centering-rod I, and pins 32 in slots 34 of cars 35, cast integral with the casting 3 of mop A. Said casting 3 is of malleable metal, and after assembling said ears 35 are pinched together, as before described.

The centering-rod I, of malleable metal, is castlwith a gooseneck 42 at the lower end, as indicated by dotted lines, Fig. 18. Said gooseneck fits over a pin or pins 44, cast integral with the ferrule D, said ferrule I) being cast with a slot 46, Fig. 6, to permit of the insertion of the gooseneck 42, and with a shoe 47, which is fastened to the mop A. In assembling, said gooseneck 42 is first. slipped over the pin 44 and then pinched up, Fig. 18, forming an eye, which pivots on the pin 42. Said ears 37 of the lever I are cast originally flaring. The eyes 36 36 are then drilled perpendicular to each of said ears 37, Fig. 19. In assembling, said cars 36 are brought to line with the pins 31 and then pinched parallel, forming a hinge bearing on said pins 31. Said wringing-lever F is preferably formed on a reverse curve, as shown, and the shapes and 1 lengths of said levers F and I are such that in passing from the position of Fig. 2 to that of Fig. 3 the said levers shall press the parts A B together parallel.

The action of the leverF and rod I is such as to bring the mops accurately parallel, and this prevents injury to the pads a b, effectually wringing out the surplus water, the movement centering about 1 the pin 44.

cated by dotted lines in Fig. 11. 38 are drilled perpendicularly to their re- The eyes speotive ears, or they may be cast in said ears I and are brought to line with the pins 30 of leverF and then pinched parallel, thus forming a hinge connection with said lever F.

1 in shape from lever F.

are fitted over said pins and then pinched up, forming a hinge connection with the rod G, Fig. 1.

The finger-clutch J, fixed on the upper end of rod H, is provided with a guide-ring 60, which works on handle D, and with a body 61, which furnishes firm support to the clutch and a grip for the hand of the operator. (See Figs. 7 to 10.) The clutch is made in two parts 64 65, each being pivoted on the body 61 at 67 68, respectively, as shown. The lower arms 7 O 71 carry pins 72, which are normally pressed into holes 73 in the handle D by the spring 75, coiled on pins between the arms 71, as shown. At their upper part said arms 70 71 are curved, as at 76 77, respectively, the two parts forming a clutch for the fingers. In the handle D are holes 73, corresponding to the positions of the mop shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 3 and otherpositions, if desired. When clutch J is slid to any of these holes and the fingers removed, said clutch locks the mop in that position until released by the operator.

The operation of the mop is clear from the foregoing description. After the mops A B are wetted the handle is turned over and rested on the pail X, Fig. 1, and the pads ab wrung out by pushing the lever H down, Fig. 3. Then by drawing up said lever II the mops A B are restored to the position of Fig. 2 and the mop is ready for use. The brush 0 and the mops A B adapt the article to various uses, the bristles scouring and the mops completing the cleaning of any surface, as a floor.

From the foregoing description it is evident that the various parts are so formed with their ears, pins, slots, and eyes as to be very readily assembled, the slots being cast open in the various parts and then pinched over pivotpins and the ears, Where necessary, being cast flaring and then pinched parallel. This mode of construction is also employed in the modification illustrated in Figs. 20 to 22, inclusive. In these figures the parts A B O, clamp E, and levers F G H are constructed substantially as hereinbefore described. The hinge between the parts A and B is, however, now made with plates 80 80, pivoted at one end on pins 82 and at the other end having slots 83, which work on pins 85 and permit of the separation and approach of the parts A 13 according to their several relative positions, Figs. 20 and 21. The lever F differs slightly In ears 87 of crossbar 88 is pivoted an arm 90, preferably curved as shown. A spring 92 holds said arm 90, so

that the post 93 bears under the junction of When the mop is the arms 95 95, Fig. 20.

moved to the position of Fig. 21, said arm 90 presses the mops A B together, squeezing out the sponges.

Now, having described my improvements, I claim as my invention 1. The combination of a plurality of mops, a spring -hinge therefor, a handle, and a wringing-lever, and a centering-rod pivotally connecting the wringing-lever and the handle, and said wringing-lever and centering-rod being adapted to press the working faces of said mops together, substantially as described.

2. The combination with a plurality of mops, of a hinge consisting of headed rods pivoted to one mop and working through another, and spiral springs between the heads of the rods and the latter mop, substantially as described.

3. The combination with the handle and mops, of a hinge consisting of beaded rods pivoted to one mop and working through another, spiral springs between the heads of the rods and the latter mop, a wringing-lever, a centering-lever, and connecting-rods, substantially as described.

4. The combination with a handle and mops, of a hinge consisting of headed rods pivoted to one mop and working through another, spiral springs between the headsof the rods and the latter mop, a wringing-lever, a centering-rod, connecting-rod, and a clutch adapted to engage said handle, substantially as described.

5. The combination of two mops hinged together, a handle attached to one mop, a clutch adapted to engage thereon, a lever attached oted on the handle, and an adjusting-screw I Working in the arm and against the handle and adapted to position said clamp E, substantially as described.

7. A finger-clutch consisting of a body part H provided with a guide-ring which works on a handle, and of spring-actuated arms pivoted on said plate H and normally engaging with the handle, substantially as described.

8. In a mop-head, the combination with the handle, of the wringing-lever F formed of malleable metal, a fork at the end thereof adapted to a pivotal connection with the mop and provided with pivotal pins, a centeringlever I provided with flaring ears at one end adapted to engage the pins of the wringinglever F and with a gooseneck at the other end adapted to engage said handle, substantially as described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my invention I have signed my name, in pres ence of two Witnesses, this 18th day of March,

DE LACY E. BALLAM. Witnesses:

BERNARD J. ISECKE, HENRY V. BROWN. 

